ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES TOLL …

1 1 ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT PURPOSE OF PAMPHLET The veteran benefit program has become much more complex during the past few years. It is virtually impossible to remember all of the many programs and SERVICES available in the State of ARIZONA . Hopefully, you should find this pamphlet very helpful, and you may want to keep it handy for quick reference. This pamphlet is prepared in such a manner that, should the ARIZONA Legislature enact new laws which provide changes to a particular program, we will revise the pamphlet, thus keeping it current for your use. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), all ARIZONA DEPARTMENT of Veterans' Service sites are ADA accessible. Should you require special accommodations, please contact the Veterans office nearest you or call 1-800-852-VETS (8387) as soon as possible so the DEPARTMENT can respond in a timely manner to your request.

2 ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES TOLL FREE (Within ARIZONA ) 1-800-852-VETS (8387) General Information and Assistance (602) 627-3261 The ARIZONA DEPARTMENT of Veterans' SERVICES is a state agency with offices located throughout ARIZONA that provides direct assistance in all matters pertaining to benefits and entitlements of veterans, their dependents and survivors. The DEPARTMENT is responsible to apprise veterans and their families residing in ARIZONA of the federal and state benefits available to them. The DEPARTMENT s staff offers Professional SERVICES . The Central Offices of the DEPARTMENT are located at 3333 North Central Avenue, Suite 1052, Phoenix, ARIZONA 85012. General information and assistance can be obtained by calling 1-800-852-VETS from within ARIZONA or (602) 627-3261. The DEPARTMENT shall: a) Disseminate information relating to laws beneficial to veterans and to assist veterans, dependents and survivors in establishing any right or benefit to which they are entitled.

3 B) Act as guardian or conservator of incapacitated veterans, minor children and surviving spouses. c) Assist in obtaining employment preferences authorized by law. d) Contact and enter into agreements with the United States or any political subdivision thereof and with veterans organizations. Enriching and honoring ARIZONA s veterans and their families through education, advocacy and service. 2 e) Approve and disapprove courses of study offered by the educational institutions or business establishments in accordance with Title 38, Code and state regulations. 41-602. Our vision - "Proudly serving ARIZONA 's veterans as they have served us." VETERANS SERVICES DIVISION As described in the Mission Statement, a network of Veterans Benefits Counselors (VBC s) provide information, counsel and assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors in matters pertaining to federal and state benefits earned by honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

4 Veterans Benefits Counselors reach into all fifteen counties of the state. The Division Service Offices are listed at the end of this document. Functions of Veterans SERVICES Division: 1. Furnish an explanation of all laws granting benefits to veterans, their dependents, or their survivors which will clearly demonstrate in understandable terms the issues involved. 2. Provide assistance to claimants in the proper preparation of their claims. 3. Advise and assist claimants in the procurement and preparation of documents or other evidence when required. 4. Explain decisions rendered by the DEPARTMENT of Veterans Affairs (VA). Advise dissatisfied claimants of their right to appeal and assist in the development of such an appeal. Appear with the claimant to present oral argument before a VA hearing board and/or the Traveling Section of the Board of Veterans Appeals.

5 5. Assist veterans when applying for regular or emergency admission to DEPARTMENT of Veterans Affairs hospitals. 6. Assist veterans in establishing eligibility for various benefits for which the state s veterans are eligible; , employment preferences, hunting and fishing licenses, property tax and license tax exemptions, and special license plates. 7. Maintain liaison with local offices of all governmental agencies and all local veterans organizations. 8. Address veteran issues to any interested community group. The staff of each office consists of Veterans Benefits Counselors and the appropriate administrative support. Veterans Benefit Counselors are accredited by the DEPARTMENT of Veterans Affairs and certified as proficient by the State of ARIZONA to assist the state s rapidly growing veteran population. 3 ENTITLEMENT AND SERVICES BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS BURIAL When a veteran or a surviving spouse dies without sufficient means for funeral expenses, the County Board of Supervisors is responsible to ensure that burial will not be in a portion of ground used exclusively for burial of paupers.

6 A suitable plot will be used, and the county may apply to the DEPARTMENT of Veterans Affairs for expenses not to exceed $ 11- 313. HEADSTONES When the county buries an indigent veteran, the county clerk will make an application to the DEPARTMENT of Veterans Affairs for a suitable headstone and make arrangements for it to be placed at the head of the grave. 11 - 312. CIVIL RIGHTS VOTING IN ELECTIONS Absentee registration and voting by active duty military personnel and their eligible dependents residing out of state may be accomplished by prior to 7:00 on an Election Day. The County recorder may accept a federal postcard application in lieu of an affidavit of registration. A. 16 -103. DOCUMENTS RECORDING OF DISCHARGES Any county recorder, free of charge shall record military discharge papers. Location of each County Recorder s Office may be found in the blue pages of your area telephone directory.

7 11 - 465. PUBLIC RECORD CERTIFICATION Public officials shall issue without charge, certified copies of public records for use in making a claim for pension, compensation, allotment allowance, insurance, or other benefits from the United States. A. 39 -122 (A). EDUCATION TUITION AND FEES-DEFERRED PAYMENT A veteran or eligible dependent who has applied for educational benefits under the Bill state-supported community colleges, colleges and universities may defer payment of tuition, fees and required books for a period of 120 days with no interest charges. If, at the end of such period, the person has not received from the DEPARTMENT of Veterans Affairs the initial benefit monies for tuition and fees, an extension may be granted until such time benefits are received. A. 41 - 611. 4 EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCES AGE LIMIT An honorably discharged veteran shall be eligible for employment preference, rights, and privileges under any merit system in the state in the state or any political subdivision thereof, regardless of age, if otherwise qualified.

8 38 - 491. CIVIL SERVICE Veterans who pass an examination for employment by the state, county or city will have 5 points added to their certification score. The veteran must have served for more than six (6) months and be separated under honorable conditions. Veterans entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability will have 10 points added to their certification score. Certain spouses or surviving spouses shall be given a 5 point preference if the veteran died of a service-connected disability: or as a member of the armed forces serving on active duty is (a) missing in action, (b) captured, or (c) forcibly detained or interned by a foreign power; or has total and permanent service-connected disability, or who died while such disability was in force. 38 - 492. FIRE DEPARTMENT Members of any fire company inducted into the military establishment of the United States for military training are authorized reinstatement to their previous rating after discharge from military service.

9 9 - 971. The period of military service shall be included in computing the length of service of the fireman to determine eligibility for retirement. 9 - 970. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT The period of military service shall be included in computing the length of service of the employee to determine eligibility for retirement. 9 - 933. RESERVE STATUS/WAR EMERGENCY Appointive officers or employees of the state or of a political subdivision will be reinstated to their former position upon completion of military service to which (s) he was inducted or ordered during time of war or was called to service because of their status as an active or inactive member of the Reserves. A. 38 - 298. CREDIT FOR MILITARY SERVICE FOR STATE RETIREMENT BENEFITS A participant of the state system or plan may receive credited past service or future service for active military service if the participant was honorably discharge from service.

10 The period of military service for which the participant receives credited service is not on account with any other retirement system. Contact the nearest state personnel office for additional information and eligibility. A. 43 -1022 (2) (a). FIDUCIARY SERVICES If fiduciary SERVICES as guardian of a veteran, conservator of a veteran s estate or both is needed; the ARIZONA DEPARTMENT of Veterans' SERVICES is authorized by sect. 41-605 to provide these 5 SERVICES . For more specific information regarding veteran fiduciary programs, contact the Fiduciary Division at (602) 248-1554. TAX AND LICENSE FEE EXEMPTIONS ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS 1. To the extent not already excluded from ARIZONA gross income under set. 112 of the Internal Revenue Code, compensation received for active service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States for any month during any part of which members served in a combat zone is exempt.